AZUSA, Calif. – The Chaminade University women's soccer team opened their Southern California road trip Saturday with a scoreless draw against Azusa Pacific at the Cougar Soccer Complex.
The tie gave the Silverswords (7-3-2 overall, 4-0-2 Pacific West Conference) a point, maintaining their second-place hold in the PacWest standings with 14 points. They are five behind Hawai'i Hilo, which won at Biola earlier in the day, and have a two-point lead over third-place Point Loma and Fresno Pacific.
The draw was also significant for the 'Swords as it represented their first non-defeat in the PacWest's powerful Southern California pod. Chaminade entered the day having lost all 17 contests in the region since the PacWest expanded into the region in 2012.
The draw left the Cougars at 6-3-4 overall and 3-1-2 in the PacWest.
The first half was a defensive struggle with Azusa Pacific controlling possession for most of the first 45 minutes. However the 'Swords were able to play their usual defensive style, resulting in nil-nil half. APU had five first half shots, one on-goal but was called for being offside five times.
CUH had one first half shot, taken by
Savannah Breeze Miranda (Aiea, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Aiea) in the 40th minute.
In the second half, both teams had chances to get on the board. The Cougars' best chance came in the 80th minute when Bethany Tee fired a shot from 25 yards out but
Naomi Takata (Honolulu/Pearl City) deflected the shot which bounced away from the net.
Chaminade had its chances too. A free kick near the APU corner in the 50th minute nearly resulted in a CUH header towards the net. Minutes later, the 'Swords brought the ball into the attacking quarter where a centering pass from the right side of the box nearly created another scoring opportunity.
The Silverswords nearly had a miraculous finish in the 87th minute when
Lece Aviles (Aztec, N.M./New Mexico State/Aztec HS) made a looping pass over the defense to a breaking
Jenna McLean (Snohomish, Wash./Cal State Bakersfield/Glacier Peak HS) at the midfield line, creating a one-on-one chance against Cougars goalkeeper Maddie Williams. But with a defender bearing down, McLean's low line-drive shot from 17 yards out was squeezed by Williams.
APU had one final chance but its 10th and final shot of the game was wide.
Chaminade had just three shots in the game with Miranda, McLean and
Hoku Schatz (Hau'ula, O'ahu, Hawai'i/Univ. of Idaho/Kahuku HS) each getting a look at the net.
Takta had three saves for her sixth clean sheet of the season -- a single season record -- and 14th of her career. Williams made a single save for Azusa Pacific.
The Silverswords will next face Biola in La Mirada, California, on Monday. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. Hawai'i time.
